09/02/2026
𝐁𝐚𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝐒𝐭𝐞𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐛𝐲 𝐈𝐧𝐥𝐞𝐭, 𝐍𝐮𝐧𝐚𝐯𝐮𝐭
With industrial development on the move on Baffin Island and the proposed development of the Steensby Inlet port & railway, the neighboring communities of the Foxe Basin are concerned for their traditional land, country foods and water. The closest and most impacted communities, Iglulik and Sanirajak, came together to develop their own community-based project to document ‘what is out there’ - the natural condition of the environment, fish and wildlife- before any construction takes place. Their goal is to monitor the terrestrial, aquatic and marine environment and collect baseline information they can use and share in the future.
In the month of July, three boats left Iglulik on a trip to Kangiluqjuaq (Steensby) with the mission to document the wildlife and collect information on the marine and aquatic environment. The trip engaged 3 youth participants, assistants and one Elder who spend 5 days out in near the future port (Ipikitujuaaq). With this project, the local Hunters and Trappers Associations aim to establish important baseline information on caribou, walrus, marine life, and other country foods harvested by Iglulirmiut and Sanirajarmiut.
More work to come in 2027…!
Qujannamiik to everyone contributing their time and expertise to this important work.
